The best part about living surrounded by undisturbed forests is the animals that come to visit. Raccoons are one of my favorites. I could watch and interact with them for hours. It is a kind of solitude for me that calms my soul, grounds my thoughts, and nourishes my curious heart. It is spiritual.
Jesus knew the importance of withdrawing away from the crowds to pray and converse with His Heavenly Father. It is how He maintained focus. No distractions, just solitude.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Solitude provides the sanctuary for our souls without the chaos of the world to intervene in our every movement, thought, word, and action. We are free to just be and seek the presence of God.
Sometimes, God gives us a whole season of solitude for healing, transforming, and to draw us closer to Holiness. If you are in that season, embrace the closeness of God instead of seeing it as loneliness. Open your heart and linger there. Pour out your soul to the One who already knows the deepest recesses of your whole being.